Anthony Cacace will defend his WBA Super Featherweight title against Nick Ball on December 19, 2026, at The SSE Arena in Belfast. This highly anticipated Anthony Cacace Nick Ball fight was formally cleared following a recent resolution from the World Boxing Association (WBA). That ruling also elevated Elnur Samedov to WBA Super Featherweight Champion.
The WBA’s decision navigates significant licensing hurdles that initially prevented Samedov, a mandatory challenger, from competing in the UK. This arrangement ensures a key domestic clash for British boxing fans. Simultaneously, it creates a scenario with two WBA champions in the same division.
WBA Sanctions Anthony Cacace Nick Ball Fight
The WBA resolution allows Anthony Cacace to make a voluntary defense against a ranked opponent before December 31, 2026. Nick Ball was specifically identified as the possible challenger in the official documentation. This move secured the Belfast date for Cacace, offering crucial home support.
Queensberry Promotions had originally planned for Cacace to face mandatory challenger Elnur Samedov in Northern Ireland. However, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) declined to license Samedov due to issues with his Russian citizenship and residency documentation. This forced the WBA to find an alternative solution.
The ruling essentially sidesteps the immediate licensing problem without fully resolving the championship dispute. Instead of stripping Cacace of his belt or sending him abroad for a defense, the WBA opted to create two recognized champions. This keeps Cacace fighting in front of his home crowd.
The Dual WBA Super Featherweight Title Picture
Anthony Cacace, now elevated to WBA Super Featherweight “Super Champion,” benefits significantly from this new structure. He retains a lucrative Belfast date, promising stronger ticket sales and a recognizable British opponent in Ball. For his part, Ball receives a compelling opportunity at 130 pounds.
This comes after Ball’s recent loss of his featherweight title to Brandon Figueroa. Meanwhile, Elnur Samedov has been promoted from interim titleholder directly to WBA Super Featherweight Champion. He gains championship recognition without having to defeat Cacace in the ring.
Elnur Samedov’s Mandatory Role
While Samedov now holds a version of the title, his contractual position remains protected. This dual-champion scenario is a familiar tactic used by sanctioning bodies to manage logistical issues, mirroring how the WBA has handled other belts, like the one contested by Lorenzo Simpson and Shawn McCalman.
The winner of the Anthony Cacace Nick Ball fight will face Samedov in a mandatory championship consolidation bout. This must occur on neutral territory to ensure fairness. The WBA has been explicit: no further special permission or outside title unification will be granted until its championships are consolidated.
Belfast Showdown: Cacace vs. Ball Breakdown
The highly anticipated December 19 bout features two experienced fighters. Anthony Cacace, 37, boasts a professional record of 25 wins, 1 loss, and 9 knockouts. The southpaw from Belfast stands 5’10” and has fought 185 professional rounds, showcasing significant ring wisdom.
His last fight saw him defeat Jazza Dickens by unanimous decision on March 14, 2026, to win the WBA World Super Featherweight Championship. Prior to that, Cacace stopped Leigh Wood in the ninth round on May 10, 2025. He also beat Josh Warrington via unanimous decision in September 2024.
Nick Ball Steps Up to Super Featherweight
Challenger Nick Ball, with a record of 23 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, and 13 knockouts, brings a higher knockout percentage to the ring. Ball is notably smaller than Cacace, standing five inches shorter with a six-inch reach disadvantage. He is moving up to the super featherweight division for this fight.
Ball’s most recent outing was a technical knockout loss to Brandon Figueroa in February 2026 for the WBA World Featherweight championship. Before his loss, Ball defeated Sam Goodman in August 2025 for the WBA Featherweight title. He previously won the WBA featherweight championship against Raymond Ford in 2024.
Nick Ball has experience fighting in Belfast, having appeared on the same card as Cacace in May 2023. On that occasion, he secured a victory over Ludumo Lamati. His decision to move up in weight presents a new challenge for the orthodox fighter.
Implications for the Winner and Future Consolidation
The WBA’s deadline creates an interesting business decision for the winner of the Cacace versus Ball bout. They will have only 12 days after the December fight to confirm their participation in the mandatory consolidation bout against Samedov. A victory could lead to more lucrative fight offers, particularly if Ball triumphs and attracts another major British opponent.
However, the WBA has clearly blocked this route by refusing further special permission or an outside title unification until the championships are indeed consolidated. This puts the winning fighter in a tough position, as promoters frequently face challenges in securing high-profile matchups, similar to Eddie Hearn’s ultimatum regarding a major US fight.
Cacace would lose his home crowd, while either winner would face additional questions regarding travel, judging, and ticket demand in a neutral location. The purse percentages and other terms for the consolidation bout will be determined through a separate resolution. The WBA has preserved the more attractive December event, but at the cost of a diluted championship picture.
Fighters’ Perspectives and Broadcast Details
Both fighters are keenly aware of the stakes involved. Anthony Cacace expressed his respect for his opponent, stating, “Nick’s a great fighter, an ex-world champion, he’s beaten them all. I expect a good scrap. He’s a hard man. Let’s do it.” This quote highlights the mutual respect and anticipation surrounding the upcoming clash.
Nick Ball echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the opportunity. “It’s a massive opportunity at a new weight. He’s a solid champion, it’s going to be a good fight,” Ball commented. Their words suggest a competitive and engaging contest for fans.
This upcoming fight adds another compelling narrative to the boxing landscape, where fans eagerly follow the progress of various divisions, from super featherweight to the heavyweight sagas involving Tyson Fury’s fight changes.
The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds in the Super Featherweight division, which is 130 pounds. Boxing enthusiasts in both the United States and the UK can catch the action live on DAZN. The estimated fight times are 2 PM ET / 1 PM CT / 12 PM MT / 11 AM PT, and 7 PM in the UK.
